Lakewood gets an early start on the Fourth

Lakewood got an early start to its Independence Day celebration with its annual block party on Saturday. Thousands jammed the Lakewood Center mall parking lots to watch the fireworks, enjoy food booths, a kids zone and live music.

Here is a list of Fourth of July events today in and around Long Beach:

Kids Bike Parade, 9:15a.m. at the Granada Launch Ramp, Granada Avenue and Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach. The two-mile bike parade will be along the Shoreline Pedestrian Beach Bike Path. Kids must wear helmets and be escorted by a parent or guardian. The event will be followed by a patriotic speech contest and watermelon seed-spitting contest and patriotic costume competitions. Free.

Long Beach Sea Festival Party, 10a.m. to 10 p.m. at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 39th Place and Ocean Boulevard. Enjoy local bands, an all-American food court, beer garden and a kids fun zone. Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for kids, which includes an all-day pass, a barbecue plate with beverage and unlimited access to the kids fun zone.

Fourth of July Freedom Fest and Concert, 5-9p.m. at Rosie the Riveter Park, Clark Avenue and Conant Street in Long Beach. The event includes a military ceremony. There will be a live concert, and three Long Beach residents who earned Congressional Gold Medals while serving in the only African-American Marine Corps unit during World War II will be honored. Free.

Fourth of July Concert and California Gardens Park Preview, 7 p.m. at Hilltop Park, 2745 Orange Ave. in Long Beach. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic basket, lawn chairs and blankets. Free.

Long Beach Sea Festival Fourth of July Barbecue, 7-9p.m. at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way. Families will be able to enjoy the ambiance of the aquarium at night.

The Queen Mary Independence Day Event, 10a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1126 Queens Highway. Live music, family-friendly entertainment and viewing of a private fireworks show only visible from the ship.